Laundry pre-drying, shakeout and conditioning tumbler



Sept. 13, 1960 F. L. PURKETT 2,952,447

LAUNDRY FREE-DRYING, SHAKEOUT AND CONDITIONING TUMBLER Original Filed March 12, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Z? .17 26 J' I I F's. In 7 ./46 I? 64 J /dfl W6 I N VENTOR FRED L. PURKET'T z pwmaw ATTORNEYS Sept. 13, 1960 F; PURKETT 2,952,447

LAUNDRY PRE-DRYING, SHAKEOUT AND CONDITIONING TUMBLER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed March 12, 1954 INVENTOR FRED L. PURKETT FIG. I2.

ATTORNEYS Sept. 13, 1960 F. L. PURKETT 2,952,447

LAUNDRY PRE-DRYING, SHAKEOUT AND CONDITIONING TUMBLER Original Filed March 12, 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 .Flas;

lip

FIG. 9.

I N VENTOR W a 1/ FRED L. PURKETT ATTORNEYS United States e LAUNDRY PRE-DRYING, SHAKEOUT AND CONDITIONING TUMBLER Fred L. Purkett, Joplin, Mo., assignor to Purkett Manufacturing Company, Joplin, M0., a partnership Original application Mar. 12, 1954, Ser. No. 415,803, now Patent No. 2,768,451, dated Oct. 30, 1956. Divided and this application Feb. 20, 1956, Ser. No. 568,348

8 Claims. (Cl. 259-3) This application is a division of my application Serial No. 415,803 filed March 12, 1954, now Patent No. 2,768,- 451, issued October 30, 1956.

This invention relates to laundry tumbling apparatus for conditioning laundered articles for subsequent processing.

An important object of the invention is to improve the construction and operation, as well as the efiiciency and economy, of apparatus of the indicated type.

Another object of the invention is the provision of apparatus of the indicated type which will condition laundered articles more quickly and effectively than prior apparatus utilized for this purpose, thereby speeding up the conditioning operation, as well as the subsequent ironing operation, all with no increase in personnel or labor costs, thus increasing economy and speed of processing.

A further object of the invention is the provision of apparatus of the indicated type including a novel arrangement of air heating and circulating means for predrying laundered articles simultaneously and in conjunction with the tumbling and conditioning thereof.

Another object of the invention is the provision of novel means for maintaining a circulation of heated air through the tumblers and wherein the circulating means may be readily disconnected from a part of the tumbler to permit the latter to swing between its loading and discharging positions.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of apparatus of the indicated type including a novel arrangement of means supporting the tumbler forswinging movement about a horizontal axis, as well as rotatable movement about an axis disposed substantially at right angles to the horizontal axis.

Another object of the invention is the provision of novel means for rotating the tumbler which, at the same time, acts as a support for the tumbler While it is in load receiving position.

A further object of the invention is the provision of apparatus of the indicated type having a pair of doors movable to cover and uncover the open mouth of the tumbler and including novel means foreffecting simultaneous movement of the doors and for automatically maintaining them in open positions when the tumbler is moved away from its loading position toward its discharging position. Another object of the invention is the provision of apparatus of the indicated type having heating coils and including a novel arrangement for supplying a heating fluid to the heating coils.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the apparatus Figure 3 is aside elevational view looking aim the right in Figure 1, parts being removed to show the interior construction;

Figure 4 is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view of a portion of the apparatus taken on the line 4-4 of.

Figure 9 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of, aportion of the apparatus taken on the line 9-9 of,

Figure 6;

Figure 10 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional vieW of'a portion of the apparatus taken along the line 1010 of Figure 5;

Figure 11 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view of a portion of the apparatus taken on the line 1111 of Figure 5; and

1 Figure 12 is an enlarged rear elevational view of a portion of the blower assembly partly in cross-section .to

show the interior construction.

In general, the apparatus of the invention comprises a rotatable tumbler or tumbling drum mounted for swings ingv movement about a horizontal axis between a load receiving and a load discharging position. Novel means are provided for rotating the tumbler, such means, in addition, serving as an auxiliary support for one end of the tumbler when the same is in load. receiving posi tion. Novel means are also provided for supplying heated air to the tumbler and for exhausting it therefrom during the tumbling operation, the latter arrangement including a pair of perforated doors and a novel mechanism for controlling same.

Referring now to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates the main supporting base frame of the apparatus consisting of end frame members Hand 12 and transverse frame members 13 and 14, connectedto the. end frame members in any suitable manner, as .by Welding. Suitable braces such as 15 and 16 may. be provided Where desired to strengthen and rigidify the I frame.

7 provided with a bearing 23 (Figures 3 and 11) for receiving a hollow trunnion or stub shaft 24. The bearings 23 may be of any suitable type and are desirably secured to the top of the horizontal structural members 19. As will be apparent, the bearings 23 and trunnions 24, at opposite ends of the frame, are axially aligned.

The trunnions 24 rotatably support a cradle or frame 25 which carries a rotatable tumbling drum 26 hereinafter described. The cradle or frame 25 is herein illus-, trated as formed of end flanges or plate members 27 and 28 connected together by a yoke shaped frame member 29 and by an additional frame member 30. The end flanges or plate members 27 and 28 are preferably cir-. cular in shape and each provided with a centrally disposed opening 32 (Figure 11) through which the trunnions 24 extend. The plate member 27 is further provided with an outwardly opening substantially U-shaped groove Patented Sept. 13,1960

or track 33 around its periphery for receiving a chain belt or the like 34 for a purpose to be described.

The yoke shaped frame 29 is made up of end frame members 35 and 36 and side frame members. 37 and 38., The end frame members 35 and 36 arewelded' or otherwise secured to. angle irons 39 and 40 which latter, in turn, are secured to. the end flanges 27 and28. As will be apparent from Figure 2, the end frame members 35 and 36 extend across the inner faces of the, plate. members 27 and 28 with their central portions adjacent but toone side of the opening 32.

Extending downwardly from. each of the end frame. members 3-5 and 36 adjacent the central portions thereof is a pair of plate members 41 and 42 (Figure 11) to which is secured one part of a two part clamp 43. These-clamps are designed to be clamped around the inwardly projecting portions, of the trunnions. 24 and, if. desired, a layer of Babbitt, metal 43a. may be interposed betweenthe clampsand the trunnions tov assist in centering the latter.

. The means for turning the-cradle comprise-the chain belt 34, hereinabove referred to, which is trained over the end flange 27 of the cradle and over apulley or sprocket 44, carried by theend framemember 11,. and drivinglyconnected with an electric motor 45, by any suitable type of gear reduction device. The. electric motor 45 is also carried by the end frame member 11 and suitable controls (not shown) including limit switches, etc'., are provided for manually and/or automat-ically initiating. and stopping operation thereof.

The tumbling drum 26, previously referred to.- herein, rotatably carried by a bearing structure indicated as a whole by the numeral 48 (Figure 9). The bearing structure 4'8, in turn, is carried by the side frame member 38 of the yoke-shaped frame 29, suitable braces between, themember 38 and theend plates 27 and 28being providedwhere neededto strength and rigidity the structure. In a preferred arrangement, the bearing structure 48 comprises a cylindrical sleeve or shell 50 in which, is arranged a suitable roller bearing structure, 51 rotatably supporting a stub shaft 52. The shell or sleeve 50 is secured to the side frame member 38 by acollar-53-(Figure 7) welded to-therespective members. At. its inner end,v the stub shaft 52. has a flange, 54 secured thereto which, inturn, isbolted or otherwise securedto, a hub memberSS.

Thetumbling drum 26is provided withacylindrical preferably perforate body or wall 56,-,the rear edge. of which is secured to a ring 57. The ring 57 is supported by radiallydisposed spokes 58 carried by thehub member 55. The hub 55, ring- 57 and spokes58, form-a sturdy wheel type structure for supporting the tumbling drum.

,At its forward, end, the tumbling drum 26 isformed witha frusto-conical shaped wall59 provided witha-relatively large end opening 60 through which the tumbler may be loaded and unloaded ina manner tobe described. 0.11. the interior, thereof, ,the'tumbl'er 26 is preferably providedwith ribs 61 to assist in lifting and dropping articles to provide the desired tumbling action, as well asv exposureto-heated air, as hereinafter described.

, Rotation of the tumbling drum is eifected, by a novel pulley andbelt arrangement consisting of four belts 63, an idler pulley 64, and a driving pulley 65 driven by an electric motor 66 carriedby the end flange member 27 ofthe cradle. The, driving pulley 65 is rotatably mounted directly on a frame 67. (Figures and secured to theflange members,27 and. 28,,while the idler. pulley 64 is.rotatably mounted on an auxiliary frame 6,8 s1idably mounted on the main frame 67.. The auxiliary frame68 is connected to .the mainframe67 by an, adjustable. connection 69 whichpermits, adjustmentof the gulxiliary frame to maintain thedesired tensionin, the

e ts. 1 s

beapparent from Figure 1,.the belts 63am.

, 4- trained around the idler and driving pulleys and around the periphery of the cylindrical body portion of the tumbling drum 26 adjacent the forward end thereof. An important feature of the invention is the locating of the idler and driving pulleys in such fashion that they occupy positions above the tumbling drum when it is in load receiving position. The portions of the belts 63. between the drum 2'6 and the respective pulleys 64 and 65 thus assume a substantially vertical position. This is clearly shown in Figures 1 and 5. As a result of arrangement, the belts 63 and associated mechanism. serve as an auxiliary support for thetumbler to absorb and offset shocks produced by dumping a heavy load of densely compacted laundered articles thereinto during the loading operation. v

Adjacent the rear thereof, the tumbler 26 is provided with a perforated back plate 70 (Figure 7) which is pref erably secured to the'forwardedges of. the. spokes 58 tostrengthen and stiffen same... The plate 70 defines the. rear end of the tumbling compartment of the tumbling drum and is provided with a removable section 7.1 (Fig ure- 2) to facilitate cleaning and the. removal of lint.

A back closure plate 72. for. the. tumbling drum (Figures 6 and 7;) is arranged rearwardly of and spaced from the plate 70 and spokes 58, and is held in position on the shell 50 in any. suitable manner as by brackets, .tie rodsand the like securing it to the transverse frame members and/or braces of the cradle. The periphery of the plate 72 is provided with an annular sealing mem-' ber 73 which cooperates with a sealing member 74 carried by the ring 57'to form a reasonably leak-proof joint. The closure plate 72 cooperates with a perforated plate hereinafter described to provide an air chamber therebetween and is provided with an upper removable cleanout door 75 to permit accessto such chamber.

As shown more clearly in Figures 6 and 7, a heating element 76 is mounted in thespace between the spokes 58 and closure plate 72, such heating element preferably consisting of, a plurality of concentrically arranged heating coils 77 each connected at, its ends to an inlet header 78 and an outlet header 79. The coi1s77 may desirably be provided with fins 80 to increase the heat-transfer and radiation therefrom. The heating coil's 77 are held in position by radially disposed strips 80a, carried by a hub 80b, the hub 80b, in turn, being clamped to the sleeve 50.

Rearwardly of the coils 77 and between these coils and the rear closure plate 72, is disposed a plate 81 which together with the closure plate 72forms the air chamber hereinabove. referred to. The plate 81 is-provided with concentric, series of openings 82 each series preferably being disposed adjacent and opposite the. associated coil 77. The plate 81 is mounted on the shell, 50 in any suitable manner andldesirablyhas its periphery secured to amember, 82a secured to the. closure plate 72.

Air is supplied to the space between, the closure plate 7 2 and the perforated plate 81by a blower 83 (Figures 1, 2 and 12) driven by an electric motor 84, the blower, and motor bothbeing mounted on the end frame member 12in any suitable manner. -In,a preferred arrangement, the outlet manifold 85 of the blower is disposed substantially parallel to the closure plate 72 and' the inlet mani fold 86 of the closure plate.72. isdisposed at an, acute angle to the planeof the closure plate so that air is introduced to the space between the, plate 81 and the closure plate 72 in a tangential direction. In order, to provide a sealed joint, betweenthe manifolds 85 and 86, the ends thereof are cut off ata bias,,and-flanged, as shown at 87 and 88, so as to produce a wedging and tightening action as they move together. A rubber gasket or, the like may desirably be provided to increase the sealing action such gasket being permanently secured; to

g the flanged end of either manifold. 1

bafiles '90 and 91 are mounted on the rear edges of the spokes 58. These baflles provide a substantially annular opening 92 therebetween through which heated air is directed into the tumbling chamber. -By shortening or lengthening the radial dimensions of these baffles the size of the opening 92 may be varied as desired.

In its normal operating position, the open mouth of the tumbling drum is adapted to be closed by a pair of semi-circularly shaped doors 93 and 94, which, in closed positions, rest against a ring shaped member 95 supported in position adjacent the mouth of the tumbler by arms 96 depending from the side frame member 37 of the yokeshaped frame 29. These doors are perforated, as shown, for the discharge of air therethrough from the tumbling chamber.

The doors 93 and 94 are supported by novel means which affect simultaneous movement thereof between closed and opened positions and which are automatically operable to retain the doors in open positions when the tumbler is swung away from its loading and normal operative position toward its discharge position. =Such means comprise vertically disposed shafts 97 and 98 turnably mounted in upper and lower bearing members 99 and 99a supported by the end frame members 11 and 12. At their upper ends the shafts 97 and 98 have horizontally extending portions 100 and 101 connected at their outer ends to vertically extending portions 102 and 103, the latter, in turn, carrying horizontally extending arms 104 and 105 connected to the doors 93 and 94. As will be apparent from the described arrangement the doors 93 and 94 will swing between closed and opened positions as the shafts 97 and 98 turn in the bearings 99 and 99a.

"Secured to and extending outwardly from the shafts 97 and 98, preferably adjacent the lower ends thereof, are arms or brackets 107 (Figure 4) suitably joined together for simultaneous swinging movement by a connecting rod 108. The arms or brackets 107 extend outwardly in opposite directions from their respective shafts 97 and 9 8 so as to provide the desired simultaneous opening and closing movement of the individual doors as aforesaid. Springs 109 are connected between each bracket 107 and the end frame members 11 and 12 for the purpose of urging the doors to opened or closed positions, as the case may be, when the arms or brackets pass dead center.

7 Means are provided for retaining the doors in opened positions when the tumbler is moved away from its normal operating position, as aforesaid, such means comprising a lever 111 (Figure 3) pivotally connected to end frame member 12, as at 112, the lower end of the lever being connected to an arm 113, mounted on the shaft 97, by a link 114. At its upper end, the lever 111 carries a roller 115 adapted to bear against, and cooperate with, a cam 116 mounted on the end flange 28 of the cradle or frame 25. As best shown in Figure 3, the cam 116 has an inwardly curved portion 117 against which the roller 115 rests when the tumbler is in its normal operative position, and a substantially arcuately curved portion 118 adapted to engage the roller 115 when the tumbler is moved away from its loading position, to maintain the doors in opened positions. The doors 93 and 94 are preferably manually moved between open and closed positions although it will be appreciated that automatic means may be provided for the purpose.

In order to meet varying installations and conditions of operation, it will usually be desirable to provide some means for controlling the air supplied to the tumbler by the blower. In accordance with the invention, this may desirably be accomplished by the provision of a butterfly type of valve consisting of a valve plate 119 (Figure 12) having stub shafts 120 and 121 secured to the upper and lower edges thereof and turnably mounted in bearings 122 and 123 positioned in the manifold of the blower housing. The stub shaft 120 projects upwardly from the manifold and is provided with a handle 124 having an opening 125 therein adapted to be selectively engaged with any one of a series of arcuately disposed pins 126, project--.

ing upwardly from the top of the manifold. The valve plate or damper 119 may be moved to different operative positions by lifting upwardly on the handle 124 to dis engage a pine 126 from the opening 125 in the handle, then turning the handle to move the valve plate or damper.

to the desired position, following which the handle is.

lowered to engage a selected pin in the opening in the handle. The valve plate or damper 119 is preferably less in width than the width of the manifold so that the:

supply of air will not be entirely cut off when it is moved to what would normally correspond to closed position.

Since the heating coils 77, hereinabove described, are mounted for swinging movement with the tumbler, this must be taken into consideration in connection with the supplying of steam or other heating fluid thereto. While. this may, and has been 'done, in many instances, by the provision of a flexible type of tubing or hose, it is preferred to utilizean arrangement of the type shown more more clearly in Figures 6, 7 and 11. As therein shown, a steam supply pipe 127 of any suitabletype is connected to the inlet header 78, passes rearwardly through the closure plate, then laterally across the back of the plate, then forwardly between the tumbler and end plate 28 of the cradle to thehollow trunnion 24. It then passes through the hollow trunnion 24 (Figure 11) and at its outer end is connected withja source ofsteam or other heating fluid by a rotatable joint 128, such'as a Barco joint. A steam exhaustpipe 129 is similarly connected to the outlet header 79 and passes through the other trunnion 24 where, as before, it is connected to a steam exhaustpipe by a rotatable joint 128. In order to avoid eccentric motion when the cradle is turned,- the portions of the steam supply and exhaust pipes which pass through the trunnions may be suitably centered therein by adjustable set screws 131.

The operation of the apparatus is'as follows: t

In normal load receiving condition, the tumbling drum occupies the position shown in Figure l with the inlet manifold 86 of the back cover plate 72 in sealing engagement with the outlet manifold of the blower 83. The tumbling drum maybe rotating or stationary and the doors 93 and 94 will be in the open positions shown in broken lines in Figure 5. A load of laundered articles from which the water has been partially extracted in the usual manner will then be introduced into the tumbler through the open mouth thereof, in any suitable manner as by a tiltable cart or the like (not shown). The doors 93 and 94 are then closed and suitable electrical controls (not shown) are actuated to initiate rotation of the tumbling drum if it is not already rotating. At the same time, the blower 83 is started to supply air to the apparatus.

Air from the blower, controlled as desired by the damper 119, passes tangentially into the chamber 75 between the back closure plate 72 and the adjacent perforated plate 81, and then passes through the perforations in the plate 81 which, as previously indicated herein, are positioned to discharge the air directly onto the coils 77. The air, heated to the desired temperature by the heating coils 77, passes through the opening between the inner and outer baffles and 91 and thence through the perforated rear plate 70 of the tumbler into the tumbling chamber proper. Here the articles being tumbled are thoroughly exposed to the heated air following which the air passes outwardly through the perforations in the doors and in the tumbling drum for discharge to the atmosphere.

When the articles have been exposed to the conditioning operation for the desired length of time, usually for a few minutes only, the blower is shut down, the doors 93 and 94 moved to open positions and the controls for the motor 45 actuated to initiate swinging movement of the cradle and tumbler to its discharge position. This movement, as .previously explained herein, is brought about by a chain or belt 34, trained around the end flange member 27 of the cradle and around a pulley 4'4 driven by the motor 45. Means (not shown) may desirably be provided for automatically stopping the motor 45' when the tumbler reaches its discharge position. Alternatively, this may be accomplished by manually actuating the switch which controls the motor.

' When the tumbler reaches its discharge position the now conditioned and partially dried laundered articles are discharged through the open end thereof into a cart or other receptacle suitably positioned for this purpose. To assist in controlling and directing the discharge of laundered articles from the tumbler a guide or guard 133 may be provided, such guide or guard preferably being secured at its lower end to a fixed portion of the main supporting base frame such as the auxiliary structural member 134. As will be apparent, the guide or guard 133- is fixed in position and hence does not move with the tumbler as it is swung between loading and unloading positions.

soon. as the tumbling drum moves away from its normal operative position the doors 93 and 94 are maintained in their open positions by virtue of the engagement of the roller 115 with the arcuately curved portion 118 of the cam 116. This prevents the doors being accidentally closed while the tumbler is away from its normal operative position-thereby eliminating the possibility of damage to the doors when the tumbler is returned to such position.

After the conditioned articles are discharged from the tumbler the motor 45' is operated in the reverse direction tothereby return the tumbler to its loading and normal operative position. The apparatus is then ready for receiving another load of laundered articles following which the. described cycle of operations is repeated.

The various electrical controls for the apparatus, some of which are designated generally herein by the numerals 1135, 136, 137' and 138, may desirably be mounted on a panel forming a part of the end frame member 11 of the main supporting frame 10. While these controls form no. part of the present invention and hence are not specifically illustrated herein, their general nature and functions will be briefly described to further clarify the operation of the apparatus.

The motor 66 for rotating the tumbling drum may desirably be controlled by a timing mechanism adapted to beset to cause the drum to rotate continuously in one direction for a predetermined period of time. At the end of this time the motor and drum stop and a signal light flashes on to signal the end of the tumbling operation. In an alternative arrangement, the timing mechanism may be combined with a reversing control whereby the motor 66 is periodically reversed to cause the drum to rotate. first in one direction, and then in the other, during the tumbling operation. In such alternative arrange ment. means are preferably provided for optionally cutting out the reversing control if continuous rotation of thetumbling drum in one direction is desired.

The motor of the blower 83 may be controlled by the same timing mechanism used for the motor 86 or by conventional start and stop controls, as desired. The circuit for this motor preferably includes any suitable type of switch operable to open the circuit so as to prevent operation of the blower when the outlet manifold 85 thereof is not in sealing engagement with the inlet manifold 86 of the back closure plate 72 or, in other words, when the tumbling drum is away from its normal operative position is shown in Figures 1 and 5. Such a switch could be. a micro-switch or plunger type switch associated with the flanged ends of the inlet and outlet manifoldsv ofthe closure. plate and blower and operable to closethe circuit when the manifolds are in sealed engagementzandi to open the circuit when. such sealed engage:- merit isiibroken.

;. Ihe'mbtor :45. for. rotating thefcradlei. to swing. the

tumbling drum. between loading and unloading positions? isa reversible type motor which. may desirably be operated by push button controls adapted to initiate-operation of the motor in a desired direction. The circuits; for this motor preferably include limit switches ac'tuatable; by elements carried by the cradle and operable to stop the motor when the tumbling drum reaches its loading or unloading position, as the case may be. As will. be. appreciated, when one of these switches is actuated to open. the circuit and stop rotation of the motor in one direction such circuit remains open as long as the tumbling drum remains in the loading or unloading position, as. the case may be, in which it has been stopped. Hence, it is impossible to accidentally operate the motor in the wrong direction When the cradle is in either of its ex-- treme positions of movement.

An important feature of the invention resides in arranging the driving means for the tumbling drum in such fashion that they render support to the tumbler when the same is in its normal load receiving position. This; is; accomplished by training the driving belts over spaced idler and driving pulleys supported by a frame positioned. above the tumbling drum when the same is in load receiving position, and passing the lower end thereof around the lower portion of the tumbling drum. Means are also provided for adjusting the tension in the belts to maintain proper'support of, and driving conditions for, the, tumbler. By virtue of this arrangement, the apparatus is better able to withstand the shock of heavy compacted loads dumped into the tumbling drum without placing anyundue strain on the bearing structure which normally supports the same.

Another important feature of the invention resides in the novel. arrangement provided for supplying, distributing, and exhausting heated air from the tumbler as Well as the means for controlling the amount of air supply. By virtue of these arrangements, the degree of drying of the laundered articles can be closely controlled so as to properly condition them for the subsequent ironing operation. In actual operation, the articles are properly conditioned in a matter of a few minutes and sufficient moisture simultaneously removed to permit a much faster rate of ironing than has hitherto been possible.

Another feature of the invention resides in the improved arnangement of means for conducting the heating fluid to and from the heating coils. Such means may be permanently fastened in position on the apparatus for movement therewith and are superior in every way to the flexible hoses frequently employed for this purpose.

It will thus be seen that the present invention provides improved apparatus for pre-drying and conditioning laundered articles from which a portion of the water has been extracted in any suitable manner. The apparatus is highly effective in operation, simple to install and operate, and requires a minimum of maintenance. In actual use, the apparatus of the invention has made it possible to greatly increase the number of articles processed through a laundry in a given period of time, and without the use of ad.- ditional personnel, thereby lowering operating costs per unit processed with resultant increase in profits and/or lower prices to customers.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, the invention is not to be construed as limited to the specific details illustrated and described except as included in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A tumbling device of the type described comprising a tumbling drum mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis, means mounting said drum for swinging movement about a second horizontal axis sub.- stantially at right angles'to said first horizontal axis'be+ tween. a load receiving position and aload discharging position, a driving belt passing around the lower portion of said drum while in its load receiving position and being engageable. therewith. to. efiect, rotation. thereof, support means for said belt disposed above and at one side of said drum and drive means for said belt disposed above and at the opposite side of drum, said support and drive being so disposed with respect to said drum as to support said drum through said belt, those portions of the belt between said drum and said support and drive means respectively assuming substantially vertical positions when said drum is in load receiving position.

2. A tumbling device of the type described comprising a tumbling drum mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis, means mounting said drum for swinging movement about a second horizontal axis substantially at right angles to said first horizontal axis between a substantially horizontal load receiving position and a load discharging position, a driving belt passing around the lower portion of said drum and being engageable therewith to effect rotation thereof, spaced idler and driving pulleys for said belt disposed above said drum, one on each side thereof and in such relation to said drum that said pulleys render support through said belt to said drum in its load receiving position with the portions of said belt between said pulleys and drum, in substantially vertical position and power means for driving said driving pulley to drive said belt.

3. Article conditioning apparatus for laundries comprising a cradle, a tumbling drum mounted for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis carried by the cradle, means mounting said cradle for turning movement about a horizontal axis to effect swinging movement about a second horizontal axis substantially at right angles to said first horizontal axis of said tumbler between a substantially horizontal load receiving position and a load discharging position, and means for rotating said drum and for rendering support thereto when the same is in load receiving position, said means comprising a belt partially encircling said drum and being engageable therewith to efiect rotation thereof, a frame carried by said cradle and disposed above said drum when the same is in load receiving position, and idler and driving pulleys for said belt carried by said frame for supporting and driving said drum, said pulleys being spaced at the sides of said frame to hold the suspending portions of said belt in substantially vertical position.

4. Apparatus of the type set forth in claim 3 wherein said idler pulley is mounted on an auxiliary frame slidably connected with said first mentioned frame, and means are provided for adjustably positioning said auxiliary frame with respect to the first mentioned frame to regulate the tension in said belt.

5. Article conditioning apparatus for laundries comprising a tumbling drum mounted for rotation about a generally horizontal axis and for swinging movement about another horizontal axis between loading and discharging positions, said two horizontal axes being at substantially right angles to each other, said tumbler having an opening at one end thereof for loading and unloading same, a pair of perforated doors swingable into position to close said opening when said tumbler is in its loading position, and means preventing movement of said doors to close said opening when said tumbling drum moves away from its load receiving position.

6. Article conditioning apparatus for laundries comprising a tumbling drum mounted for rotation about a generally horizontal axis and for swinging movement about another horizontal axis between a load receiving and a load discharging position, said two horizontal axes being at substantially right angles to each other, said tumbling drum having an opening at one end thereof for loading and unloading same, a pair of perforated doors mounted for swinging movement into positions to close said opening, means connecting said doors for simultaneous swinging movement, and means operable to prevent closing movement of said doors when said tumbling drum is in its unloading position.

7. Article conditioning apparatus for laundries com prising a frame, a cradle mounted on said frame for turning movement about a substantially horizontal axis, a tumbling drum mounted for rotation about an axis substantially at right angles to said first axis, said drum being carried by said cradle for swinging movement therewith between a load receiving and a load discharging position, said tumbling drum having an opening at one end thereof through which articles may be loaded into and discharged from the drum, a pair of perforated doors for said opening swingably mounted on said frame for movement between opened and closed positions, a cam member carried by said cradle for movement therewith, and means engageable with said cam for maintaining said doors in their opened positions when said tumbling drum is away from its load receiving position.

8. Article conditioning apparatus for laundries comprising a frame, a cradle mounted on the frame for turning movement about a horizontal axis, a sleeve carried by the cradle, a stub shaft rotatably journaled in the sleeve, a hub member carried by the shaft, a plurality of radially disposed spokes mounted on the hub member, a ring member secured to the outer ends of the spokes, a tumbling drum secured to said ring member, a perforated plate member secured to said spokes, said plate constituting the rear wall of said drum and a dished housing nonrotatably fixed to said cradle and facing the rear of said drum to cover the same.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,564,058 Gettings et a1 Dec. 1, 119 25 2,067,543 Purkett Ian. 12, 1937 2,360,161 Purkett Oct. 10, 1944 2,546,925 Geldhof et a1. Mar. 27, 1951 2,643,463 Grantham June 30, 1953 2,698,635 Huddleston et a1. J an. 4, 1955 

